Dongkuk CM has introduced an ultra-high reflectivity colored steel sheet designed to improve the performance of dual-sided rooftop PV systems, increasing solar reflectance to 80-85. The new material also offers improved corrosion resistance, long-term durability and additional cooling benefits thanks to its advanced plating and dual-layer design, according to the manufacturer.
Dongkuk CM, a unit of South Korean steel manufacturer Dongkuk Steel, has launched new colored steel sheets for roof applications with dual-sided PV systems.
Colored steel sheets, also called pre-painted or color-coated steel, are durable, visually versatile building materials widely used in roofing, wall cladding and various architectural applications. They provide the structural strength of steel while providing additional protection and aesthetic appeal thanks to specialized organic coatings.
The manufacturer said the new roofing material is based on Soft-GLX’s patented ternary corrosion-resistant plating technology and is the world’s first colored steel sheet designed with ultra-high reflectivity for increasing solar energy generation in dual-sided rooftop PV systems.
The new product is claimed to have higher corrosion resistance than standard galvalume steel sheets, thanks to precise adjustments to the zinc-aluminum-magnesium ratio and its workability, preventing material damage during bending. “Dongkuk CM’s SLX technology is internationally patented in Korea, Japan and major exporting countries,” the company said. “The paint layer retains its quality for twenty years, the galvanization layer for thirty years.”
According to the manufacturer, the Dongkuk CM Solar Cell Color Steel Sheet offers a total solar reflectance (TSR) of only 80-85, compared to 50-60 with “conventional” roofing materials. “When applied, it improves the energy generation efficiency of bifacial solar panels by approximately 30%,” the report said.
The company also explained that the new product’s corrosion resistance is improved by a two-layer structure design that separates the front of the steel plate, which receives sunlight, from the back, where the glass wool is applied.
“This next-generation high-performance material features overwhelming reflectivity and corrosion resistance even in extreme environments, and can even achieve energy-saving effects such as cool roofing, lowering roof temperatures as reflectivity (TSR) increases,” said Choi Woo-chan, head of Dongkuk CM’s Technology Research Center, without giving more technical details.
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